'20 under 40' 2013 - Bill Fisher

Prior to coming to The Protection Bureau I was in the jewelry business, and my big push came when I needed something more interesting that I could really dig my brain into—something that would challenge me more. I got an entry-level position as an operator, which was a really good icebreaker into the industry because it’s where the rubber meets the road. I was the person actually helping people, so it was a good introduction. Along the way I had to increase my knowledge, learn about alarm receivers, different kinds of alarm panels, and what the technicians are doing in the field because we are a complete integrator.

Who or what in the industry has inspired you most in your security career?

I’d say it’s a cross between two people: Our president, Matthew Ladd, and our VP of operations, Mike Jobrey. They pushed me along to the right positions once they got to know me and realized how good I was at the technical stuff. They were the ones who steered me to really get involved in the industry. It’s inspiring to work at a forward-thinking company like The Protection Bureau, and to work in an industry with this amount of change. I don’t think I’d do anything else.

What can be done to boost the ranks of young people in the industry?

The more the industry moves forward with higher technology products, there’s going to be a higher knowledge base required, and a higher demand for really good tech-savvy people within the central station. That gives operators in the central station a better chance to break into the industry.